On the weekend, Yang Yi originally didn't plan to open the shop, but he couldn't resist Ding Xiang's earnest request to repay him, so the corner coffee shop still hung up its sign over the weekend.
However, Ding Xiang didn't forget the task Yang Yi had entrusted to her. Using her lunch breaks and evening rest time, she worked with Mao Peifu to compile a list of tech and design experts. This, of course, required obtaining the consent of those involved, which added some twists and turns. But by Monday, they had the list ready and handed it to Yang Yi.
Mao Peifu came along as well. This girl had a completely different aura when she appeared—decisive and efficient, with a brisk, no-nonsense attitude.
"This sheet is the list, and this stack is copies of some of their award-winning works. But may I ask, Mr. Yang, what kind of project are you planning to do?" Mao Peifu asked directly.
Ding Xiang, worried that her senior might clash with Brother Yang, tugged anxiously at Mao Peifu's sleeve.
"It's fine, this isn't something I can't share. I mainly want to build two websites, both social networking sites, but of different types." Yang Yi waved his hand, pulled out a stack of printed papers, and handed them to Mao Peifu with a slight smile. "I've sketched out the general framework for you. I need your people to join my project and help turn this vision into reality."
The plan Yang Yi gave Mao Peifu revealed many details, but he wasn't worried about leaks because this well-developed concept had already been registered with the copyright association—no one else could touch it.
Of course, while the copyright association in this world offered comprehensive protections, it wasn't easy for just anyone to patent a random idea. Such conceptual patents had extremely high thresholds. Yang Yi had to describe the complete architecture and internal functional divisions in exhaustive detail before successfully applying for this concept patent.
Although the plan given to Mao Peifu could, if taken by someone with ill intent, be used to fully replicate the product he originally envisioned, it didn't matter—the copyright association would fully safeguard Yang Yi's rights.
Mao Peifu flipped through the stack of plans and was immediately stunned by the two websites Yang Yi had drawn out. She couldn't help but read the names aloud: "Weibo and Facebook?"
"That's right. One is a social networking site for sharing real-time short messages, and the other is a social networking site focused on personal homepages. The latter is somewhat like a private blog, but simpler to operate and more focused on its social functions." Yang Yi nodded.
For some reason, as Mao Peifu pored over the plans, carefully examining each feature description, she felt as if a brand-new world was unfolding before her eyes. Even her strong-willed heart couldn't help but stir with excitement.
Mao Peifu secretly clenched her fist, but she held back her excitement and cautiously asked Yang Yi, "Mr. Yang, this project is indeed impressive, but I'd like to know how much funding you can invest in it?"
Her question somewhat overstepped her current role, but Mao Peifu was thinking ahead, ignoring Ding Xiang's anxious gaze.
Yang Yi could have refused to answer, but he didn't mind. "I'll invest eight million upfront, covering employee salaries, bonuses, and initial operational and promotional costs. If it shows some results, I'll add another ten million, or even more."
For now, he could only come up with eight million—this came from the sale of the TV rights for his two books and other royalty income trickling in, minus the monthly donations he made to Zhu Luyan's Hope School project and his family's living expenses. It was the largest round number he could scrape together.
That amount, thrown into the internet world, wouldn't even make a splash. But for building these two websites and covering initial server purchases and other costs, it was more than enough! Moreover, Yang Yi was directly providing a perfected product refined through countless iterations and innovations, reducing the project team's trial-and-error efforts. Perhaps the eight million initial investment would even leave some surplus!
The grand vision Yang Yi painted completely won Mao Peifu over. Though her family background was decent, this girl was determined to make a name for herself through achievements.
"I want to join this project too. I can help you manage personnel and handle public relations issues!" Mao Peifu looked at Yang Yi with eager eyes. "I can work without pay for now."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want a promise of future stock options!"
...
Since he wasn't familiar with Mao Peifu, Yang Yi naturally didn't make any promises right away, but he did give her a chance to participate.
As the work progressed, Mao Peifu's management skills—honed through family influence and student council experience—gradually emerged. She organized the project's task division, personnel assignments, and time management with remarkable clarity.
Moreover, under her leadership, the immature or careless college students meshed well together. Even occasional minor disputes didn't escalate into major issues.
Naturally, Mao Peifu earned herself a promise of stock options in the future startup—but that's a story for later.
...
With Weibo and Facebook settled, Yang Yi now had to deal with his daughter's complaints, which gave him a headache.
"It's so hard to write. Daddy, why is Xixi's name so hard to write?" The little girl pouted, resting her cheek on her hand, sitting glumly at her new children's desk. "Qiqi and Chen Shiyun's names aren't hard to write!"
After a week of learning strokes, the teachers assigned a new task: every child had to learn to write their own name.
Now, some kids with more complex names were on the verge of tears—like Lan Xin, and like Yang Xi.
Yang Luoqi, Chen Shiyun, and Nan Zhaoyu all had three-character names, but theirs were simpler. Compared to Yang Xi and Lan Xin's two-character names, they were much easier to write!
"Daddy? Why can't Xixi be called Yang Yiyi? That's so easy to write!" The little girl's mind wandered creatively.
Later, Yang Yi learned from other parents that there was indeed a kid named Xiao Yiyi in another class, but it was a boy.
Faced with his daughter's complaints, Yang Yi could only offer a wry smile.
There was no helping it!
When Murphy named Xixi, he wasn't around! If he'd known he'd be hearing complaints all evening today, Yang Yi would have given his daughter the simplest name, even if it rhymed with his own.
Fortunately, Yang Yi had a way with his daughter. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said with a gentle smile, "How about this? Today, Daddy will practice writing your name with you. We'll write it really, really big, a few times, and you'll definitely learn it! And if Xixi learns it, Daddy will tell you an extra part of the Journey to the West story tonight."
"Last time, where did we leave off? Was it when Tang Seng was captured by a demon, and Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie went looking for him, fighting in the Fire Cloud Cave?" Yang Yi chuckled. "And Xixi, do you know that this demon is actually a child, and his father is the Bull Demon King, Sun Wukong's big brother from when he caused havoc in Heaven?"
"Really? A child demon? Who's the Bull Demon King? Is he super powerful?" Xixi was instantly drawn in by Yang Yi, forgetting her earlier grumbles, her big eyes sparkling as she looked at him expectantly.
She had forgotten the Bull Demon King's story, though she still remembered the havoc in Heaven.
"First, we need to practice writing. How about Daddy holds your hand and teaches you?" Yang Yi asked softly.
"Alright then!" The little girl was suddenly full of motivation, eagerly placing her little hand holding the pen into her father's big one.